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Remote learning will continue in Week 4 whether your child completes this learning at school or at home.
What will learning look like for my child in Week 4 (18th May – 22nd May)?
Next week your child is invited to attend school again for one day on their nominated day. This means if they attended school on Monday of this week they will attend school next Monday 18th May. If they attended school on Tuesday this week they will attend school next Tuesday 19th May. And if they attended school this week on Wednesday they will attend school next Wednesday 20th May.
Will the school still be open for student supervision?
The school remains open for the supervision of students. Students who are attending school on a day other than their nominated day will be supervised by a teacher in accessing and completing their remote learning tasks set by their classroom teacher.
More information will be provided to families next week about the arrangements in place for the following week. This will be subject to directives from the NSW Government and Catholic Education Office, Wollongong.
What if my child is feeling unwell?
We encourage all students who are displaying flu-like symptoms to remain at home. Any child who is feeling ill will be sent home immediately, again in the name of safety for our community. It is great to note the majority of students in our school understand and practice social distancing with each other. Please contact the school office in the event that your child is unwell. They will be marked as absent and not expected to complete remote learning tasks.
Additional Daily Cleaning at OLHC
During these past few days our cleaning processes have been upscaled with two extra services now being utilised each day. From Lunch 1 all toilets, student desks and high touch point areas in the school are being cleaned. The regular school clean also occurs each evening. Our school thanks the Catholic Education Office for providing the funds for the extra cleaning to occur each day.
We pray for each other and our world as we continue through this unprecedented time in our lives.
"Those who have faith in Me will do the works I do, and far greater than these," Jesus tells His disciples. That is quite an assignment for us as Christian stewards!
Last Weekend's Gospel ....
John 14:1–12
Jesus tells his disciples, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
The readings for the last few Sundays have been about the Resurrection, but last weeks Gospel takes us back in time to an event in Jesus’ life before his Passion. Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house. He promises that where he is going, his disciples will be able to follow. Thomas, who will later doubt the disciples’ reports that they have seen the Risen Lord, contradicts Jesus by saying that the disciples don’t know where Jesus is going or how to get there. Jesus explains that he, himself, is the way, the truth, and the life. In knowing and loving Jesus, the disciples now love God the Father.
Dear Parents and Carers,
As a school community, it has been wonderful to welcome back students this week to their one day of face to face learning with their classroom teacher. The students have all been really excited to see one another, as well as their teacher, after this extended time away from school.
Over the coming weeks, we will communicate with you the way forward as we begin to make the transition back from remote learning to face-to face learning. By the time all students return to school in a full time (5 day per week) capacity, remote learning will cease and face to face learning will become the one mode of learning. We thank you for your patience, trust and resilience during these unprecedented times. Parents have been very supportive and understanding and the staff and I really value and appreciate this.
This period of time is extremely tiring for parents, teachers and children alike. We are finding ourselves in a situation where we are making multiple decisions, that we wouldn’t usually have to make, on a daily basis. The decisions may be tiny like - Is it safe to pop out to get some milk? Do I really need to go to the grocery store or can I manage until we run out of a few more things?
This multiple decision making is becoming taxing. It can also lead us to make rushed or poorer decisions. Why? Because it’s increasing our cognitive load and our decision making skills can start to deteriorate when this happens.
So what can we do about it? The first thing is for us to recognise what is happening. This pandemic has thrown us all into unfamiliar territory. It has revealed to us emotions within decision making that we have not experienced before and this is really complex stuff!
We need to give ourselves a bit of a break at times; to give ourselves permission that everything does not have to be done at once. When we reset, we need to identify what’s working, think about what we need to stop doing and what we need to pick up - particularly as the children continue the journey back to full school attendance. We need to be able to separate our decisions, look at what needs our full attention and what we can let go. All the while we can faithfully reflect on verses such as this:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the
world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
-JOHN 14:27
With thanks for your ongoing support.
Jane Webb
Principal
This week we were able to transition back to face to face teaching and learning with students attending school on their assigned day and being in the classroom with their teacher. It was evident, as the students walked into the school grounds, how happy they were to be back at school and it was as noticeable how excited the teachers were to see the students again too. The teachers were able to work through the same work that the students at home were doing remotely but with the added layer of explicit modelling and support. It was also time to reinforce expectations for remote learning.
Over the past two weeks teachers have endeavoured to provide students with feedback on their remote learning. As we begin this new phase this week, teachers will be providing feedback to the children at school on their assigned day. As a result of this, during face to face learning days (Monday-Wednesday) teachers will not be providing constructive feedback to students on their remote learning platforms. Teachers will continue to monitor the work of students accessing learning on their remote platforms but will be primarily providing feedback face to face. Staff have enjoyed being able to provide quality feedback this week in person. Please also keep this in mind with regards to emails or questions for teachers through remote learning platforms. Teachers will be unable to answer these throughout the school day as they are engaged in face to face teaching and supervision but will get to them as soon as they can. Teachers are also marking student rolls for student attendance each day. If your child is engaging in their learning remotely from home then they must have completed some of the set work by 2:30pm otherwise they will be marked as absent.
Thank you to the teachers for all of their dedication and hard work during this time, the students for applying themselves the best they can and to all of the parents for all of your support and understanding. We look forward to seeing the students again next week for their allocated learning day.
Take care.
Alison Fazio
Assistant Principal
Morning Prayer Sessions
A number of children have sent photographs that depict beautiful illustrations of Mary for our Andrew Chinn video. Children have until this Friday afternoon (Friday 15th May) to send in their artworks to Miss Ferderer (ferderern02@dow.catholic.edu.au).
I would encourage you to have a look at Mr Chinn’s youtube channel where he has daily prayer sessions for children.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC12Rjgz6Mo3IF7xvJXORX_g
Our Lady Help of Christians Feast Day
This year because our Parish Feast Day (Sunday 24th May) coincides with the Ascension, it is transferred to Monday 25th May. Father Sarkis will live-stream Holy Mass on Monday 25th May at 7.30pm from the church. As a school community we will celebrate the Feast Day with a range of activities across the week.
In the lead up to the Feast Day you may like to engage in praying the below Novena.
Nine Day Novena: Mary Help of Christians
Sign of the Cross
PRAYER OF PETITION
O Mary, Help of Christians, Holy Mother of God and my mother, with the greatest confidence I (we) come before you. You have seen the wounds which Jesus has been pleased to receive for my (our) sake. You have seen the Blood of your Son flowing for my (our) salvation. You know how much your Son desires to apply to me (us) the fruits of His saving power. Behold, I (we) cast myself (ourselves) at your feet, and pray that you will gain for me (us), the grace I (we) stand much in need of. (Briefly mention personal intentions).
O Mary, Help of Christians, Holy Mother of God, and my mother, you desire my (our) salvation far more than I myself (we ourselves). Your Son gave you to me (us) to be my (our) mother. You have chosen to call yourself Mother of Perpetual Help. I (we) trust in no merit of mine (ours), but in your powerful intercession. I (we) trust in your motherly love. For the love you bear to Jesus, your Son, obtain the grace I (we) ask of you. AMEN.
Say: One Our Father, Nine Hail Mary’s, One Glory Be.
The Memorare
Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy aid, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I (we) fly to thee, O virgin of virgins, my (our) mother. To thee I (we) come, before thee I (we) stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my (our) prayers but in thy clemency, hear and answer me (us). AMEN.
Blessing: The Lord Bless us and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. AMEN.
School Gardens - An Easter Gift of New Life
Over the past couple of weeks staff have been working hard to restore and re-purpose some old raised garden beds. Our hope is to create a space that sparks joy for our whole school community.
While they don’t look like much at the moment, this week we are continuing the big job of filling the gardens with dirt so that we can begin planting next week.
We can’t wait to share this space with you!
Parish Masses
Thank you.
Natasha Ferderer
Religious Education Co-ordinator
Thank you to all our parents for their continual support during this time of remote learning. We appreciate all the hard work that you are doing with your children - You are doing such a wonderful job!
Afternoon Dismissal
Thank you to all our families for being so understanding with the changes involved with afternoon dismissal and respecting the restrictions that are currently in place. The safety and well-being of our community is our key priority so we ask that parents do not enter the school playground when collecting children in the afternoon. Drop off and pick up via John Therry grounds is still available, and encouraged, as the safest physical distancing option. Parents can pick their children up from the gate closest to the St Anne Hall. Teachers will open this gate at 2:45pm and will dismiss students from a safe distance.
OLHC Remote Learning Website
During these uncertain times we have outlined some frequently asked questions that may be of assistance to you. These frequently asked questions can be found on our OLHC Remote Learning Website using the following link:
While our students are learning remotely they are still expected to follow our school rules of being safe, respectful and an active learner when working online and at home. This week, classroom teachers shared Remote Learning Expectations via their learning platforms and explicitly went through the grid with students on their assigned day. You may like to discuss these remote learning expectations with your children at home. Please find below the Remote Learning Expectations for K-2 and Years 3-6.
P&F
We would like to thank the Parents and Friends Association (P&F) for purchasing new soccer jerseys and basketball singlets. We look forward to students being given the opportunity to wear these when sport gala days commence.
Birthdays
At this time we kindly ask that children do not bring food/cakes to share with other students.
We would like to thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to work together during this time. Please continue to keep checking Compass, Facebook and our Remote Learning Platform Website for any further information.
If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher.
Alana Stroligo.
| Zerena Besatu (4M) | Enoch Biju (6M) | Luke Billinghurst (6M) |
| Emma Bolshakova (2M) | Jessica Chanhdara (3W) | Sophie Collet (4M) |
| Alexis Dellis (2W) | Jasmine Jallad (4W) | Tahlia Mesias (4W) |
| Sophie Nunes (4M) | Kolten Opalniuk (6W) | Benjamin Robin (6W) |
| Jessica Tran (1M) | James Trinh (5M) | Jack Woodford (6W) |
Our Kindergarten 2021 interviews were held, via telephone, on Tuesday 12th May. We appreciate that under the current conditions, some families have not had the opportunity to submit an application.
For this reason, it has been decided to organise another interview day on Tuesday 16th June - pick up an application from the office or download one via the Catholic Education Office website and include a family photograph with your enrolment.
Please let your family and friends know of this additional interview day. At this point in time, these interviews will also be held via telephone.
This app should be downloaded so you can be kept up to date with the latest events and information from the school. This app is also used for distribution of the Newsletter. Please download the app from your relevant store. For more information please see the attached flyer "Accessing the Compass App".
eSafety Website
Congratulations to the following students who celebrate a May Birthday. We hope you have had, or will have, a fantastic day:
| Aaliyah Barghout | Lawrence Begg | George Botrous |
| Eva Bolshakova | Maddison Bradbury | Daniel David |
| Georgia D'Emanuele | Caitlin Dolman | Jacob Faillia |
| Emily Halloran | Josie Klarich | Lucas MacDiarmid |
| Samson Morell | Ryan Muscat | Carmody Przybylo |
| Ignatius Przybyle | Heath Spinks | Adrianna Van Kints |
Mass Timetable:
Tuesday: 6.30pm, Wednesday: 9.00am, Thursday: 9.00am, Friday: 9.00am (note change from 8.20am), Saturday: 6.00pm, Sunday: 10.00am (NO Mass at 8.30am)
While participating spiritually in Mass from home, Father has invited to you pray the following with him:
Prayer of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there
And unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael, Protector of the Church.
St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell, Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl through the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
A Walk through Rosemeadow
A beautiful hard cover book on the theology and spirituality underpinning the design of the church, written by Father Sarkis, it contains full colour pictures of all the windows, art works and photographs from the Mass of Dedication. This book captures and explains the design and art of the church and gives simple spiritual synthesis of what we believe as Catholic Christians. Available to purchase from the Pious Goods Store - parish price $59.95 with cash or credit card only - for EFPTOS facilities, please visit the parish office during business hours. All proceeds from the book go to the church.
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